UCHealth donated $175,000 to Freedom Service Dogs following its annual charity home run derby, Healthy Swings.

Freedom Service Dogs pairs service dogs with people who have physical or intellectual disabilities, along with veterans and first responders with PTSD.

“We’re big believers in our service members, and these dogs make a tremendous impact for this community,” Manny Rodriguez, UCHealth’s chief marketing, experience and customer officer said. “Healthy Swings is one of many ways UCHealth works with partners to connect with our communities to ensure Coloradans are able to live healthy, extraordinary lives.”

While rain prevented Denver’s football players from taking swings in front of fans at Coors Field, the athletes were able to connect with families who have received Freedom Service Dogs. Players like Courtland Sutton, Pat Surtain II and Alex Singleton signed autographs, took photos and met the dogs that impact these families every day.

“It’s about giving back to what’s important, it’s not really about us hitting the ball. It’s about bringing people together for really important causes,” said Alex Singleton, one of the Denver football players.

“We believe dogs make a life-changing difference for people with disabilities,” said Chris Nelson, president and CEO of Freedom Service Dogs. “In some cases, they make a life-saving difference, especially for our nation’s veterans with visible and invisible disabilities, such as PTSD. We’re so grateful to UCHealth for selecting Freedom Service Dogs as the beneficiary of Healthy Swings. Every donation—no matter how big or small—helps us continue to provide these highly skilled service dogs free of charge.”

Every year, UCHealth selects a different nonprofit as the beneficiary for Healthy Swings. In previous years, UCHealth has donated to Next Chapter, Food for Thought Denver, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Gold Crown Foundation and the American Cancer Society.